(Brampton) - The Region of Peel will phase in a three bag standard for
waste collection, beginning June 4, 2001. Regional Council today approved
a recommendation from staff on the new program.

"We're phasing in the new three bag standard to give residents an
opportunity to adjust to the program," says Mitch Zamojc, Commissioner
of Public Works at the Region of Peel. "We're confident that, if we
give residents a chance to get used to the program, they will work with
us to increase waste diversion in Peel."

The three bag standard will begin on June 4, 2001 with a voluntary phase.
During this phase, residents will be asked to place a garbage tag on any
garbage bags or containers (weighing less than 23 kg or 50 lbs.) in excess
of three, which are put out to the curb. Although all garbage will be picked
up during this phase, stickers will be left behind to remind residents about
the three bag standard. Garbage tags will be available at no cost during
this phase.

All Peel residents will receive a package in the mail in May 2001 containing
12 free garbage tags, along with information about the new three bag standard
and the switch to weekly recycling pick-up, which will coincide with the
introduction of the three bag standard.

Beginning February 2002, tags will continue to be available at no charge,
but any garbage bags or containers in excess of three which are put out
to the curb without a tag will be left behind with a sticker reminding residents
about the three bag standard.

In September 2002, a nominal cost will be applied to the garbage tags,
and any bags or containers in excess of three will be left behind.

"The payment phase of the three bag standard, which will begin in
September 2002, will coincide with the closing of the Britannia Sanitary
Landfill Site," says Zamojc. " We're doing all we can to increase
diversion in Peel, in order to minimize the financial impacts of the Britannia
Sanitary Landfill site closure on residents."

The Region will offer three "Amnesty Weeks" a year, during which
residents can place unlimited bags or containers to the curb. These are
the first week of January, the week after Victoria Day in May, and the week
after Labour Day.

"Peel residents have been doing a great job of diverting waste,"
says Zamojc. "Their continued participation in the Region's waste management
programs is helping us move towards our goal of diverting 70 per cent of
waste from landfill."

The three bag standard will not apply to yard waste or recycling. There
are no limits to the amount of recycling and yard waste that can be put
out to the curb.

For more information about the three bag standard or other waste management
programs, call the Region's WASTELINE at 905-791-9499. Residents in long
distance areas in Caledon can call 905-584-2216 free of charge and ask for
the WASTELINE, or visit the Region's Web site at www.region.peel.on.ca